Pages

Monday, October 7, 2013

Karma and do-nothingism

I really have not tried to find any reasons for adopting the most enjoyable practice of do-nothingism. As far as I was concerned, the only problem with adopting it was the fact that the world, rather unreasonably, refuses to provide the wherewithal for me to survive unless I did something. I mean, even known and convicted criminals committing heinous sins were supposed to have human rights but I am denied my right to survive merely because I do nothing. What sort of logic is that?

I, however, am rather amused by the fact that people blame the theory of Karma for an attitude of do-nothingism in India. Of course, an interpretation of that theory does say that what you get in this birth is an outcome of the virtues you accumulated over the past births and, therefore, may not bear direct relevance to your own efforts in this birth. And, thus, if you believe in the theory of Karma, you would prefer to do nothing in this birth because what you get cannot be influenced by your efforts? Nonsense!

I, like most of us, used to work for monthly wages. The money I spent on sustaining myself on any given day was the outcome of my effort in the previous month. The efforts I put in during that month yielded me nothing to help me in that month. So, there is no point in working? After all, my efforts of this month were not helping me in feeding myself - or drinking myself silly - in this month. So, is it not absolutely logical to stop working right away?

What was that? What would happen to me next month? Well, if I truly believed that there would be a next month in my life and I would need to sustain myself in that month, I would need to work this month, would I? Then, do you mean to say that people believe that they had a few past births that got them what they have in this birth, but do not truly believe that there is a next birth where they would need the fruits of this birth?

That, precisely, seems to be the problem. Do-nothingism arises out of a belief in the past births without a conviction about the future ones. If one believed in both, one would still continue to work. But, then, it is customary for the 'rational' human beings to cherry-pick their beliefs to suit what they want to do, isn't it? So, I believe that my work in my past births will take care of me in this birth but I do not believe that there is a future birth for which I need to work in this birth. Sort of partial theory of Karma!

As for me, I do not indulge in reasons for my inaction. I do nothing because I absolutely love doing nothing!

Very happy to read your comments too Jairam! Slightly hectic in and out traveling time for me with functions galore and that Ultimate Blogging Challenge of yours is no help at this time :) Once Sanity prevails in my life I will get back to enjoying your posts

Karma is explained using 'multiple-birth' theory. But in practice, it is applicable to this (current) birth only. You might argue that some people don't appear to work at all, but still reap all the rewards and some people work so much, but get very little (or nothing) in return. But that's often a short-sighted and an inaccurate view. If we look at things in its entirety, things will be clear.

At the end of the day, there is no free meals. For anyone. Everything comes at a cost. Thankfully.

Doing nothing the world defines as 'doing' eh Suresh ? It's practically impossible for a living soul to do nothing eh ? (U atleast would eat breathe and sleep ) . So when someone says you are doing nothing they are accumulating bad karma by lying :) hi hi

The theory of Karma is rather complex that most of us would know. On a different note, doing nothing is bliss, as I have always said. The way you prove your do-nothingness is quite entertaining and bit philosophical. How we love defending ourselves :)

I find myself refreshed after a day or two of doing little or nothing, but I feel invigorated by doing something. I find I have a need to create something, to exert myself beyond what I think I can do, and to use my physical strength and dexterity.

But doing nothing in between those bouts of activity is cleansing. It gets the clutter of the everyday out of the way, and helps me appreciate the divine spark of the ordinary.